Abstract: A user input device that includes a rotary input control is described herein. The rotary input control includes first and second ferritic substrates; first and second permanent magnets extending between the first and second ferritic substrates to form a magnetic circuit; one or more magnetizing coils wrapped around the first permanent magnet; and a wheel defining a central volume within which the first and second ferritic substrates, the first and second permanent magnets and the one or more magnetizing coils are positioned. The user input device also includes a control system configured to direct current to the one or more magnetization coils to change a magnetization of the first permanent magnet to adjust a resistance profile of the rotary input control.

Abstract: A peripheral device with an adaptive scroll wheel can be used to provide additional control of a host computing device. A variable force is used to change friction on the adaptive scroll wheel for different situations. Examples include stopping a scroll wheel at an end of a document, changing a number of ratchet steps based on a number of items on a list, and changing scroll profiles based on application, such as a scroll profile for document processing and a scroll profile for gaming.

Abstract: A peripheral device with an adaptive scroll wheel can be used to provide additional control of a host computing device. A variable force is used to change friction on the adaptive scroll wheel for different situations. Examples include stopping a scroll wheel at an end of a document, changing a number of ratchet steps based on a number of items on a list, and changing scroll profiles based on application, such as a scroll profile for document processing and a scroll profile for gaming.

Abstract: A peripheral device may include a body. The device may include a scroll wheel rotatably coupled with the body. The scroll wheel may include a ferromagnetic rotor. The rotor may be generally annular and may define an open interior. The rotor may define a first plurality of teeth arranged about a periphery of the open interior. The device may include a stator disposed within the open interior. The stator may define a second plurality of teeth that are alignable with the first plurality of teeth. The stator may include a plurality of electro-permanent magnets. Each of the electro-permanent magnets may be disposed within a conductive coil. The device may include a position sensor that is configured to detect an angular position of the rotor. The device may include control circuitry that controls delivery of current to the electro-permanent magnets of the stator to controls a speed of the scroll wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer peripheral interface devices (such as computer mice) that include a wheel member configured to rotate around an axis in a plurality of modes, where each of the plurality of modes corresponds to a respective unique friction profile. The plurality of operation modes includes a freewheel mode and at least two additional modes. The at least two additional modes includes two or more different ratchet modes, two or more different constant friction modes, or at least one constant friction mode and at least one ratchet mode. The interface device also includes an actuator assembly configured to set the wheel member to each of the plurality of operation modes.

Abstract: A keyboard system comprises a housing and a key structure having a key body and key cap. The key body includes a transceiver circuit. The key cap includes a key cap transceiver and a memory structure storing a key cap ID data and/or a key function data corresponding to a key function. The transceiver circuit can poll the key cap memory via the key cap transceiver and retrieve the key cap ID data and/or the key function data. The keyboard system can determine a mapping of a location of the key cap on the keyboard by polling it and can generate and transmit a control signal to a host computing device communicatively coupled to the keyboard system based to the key cap ID and/or the key function data.

Abstract: A peripheral device with an adaptive scroll wheel can be used to provide additional control of a host computing device. A variable force is used to change friction on the adaptive scroll wheel for different situations. Examples include stopping a scroll wheel at an end of a document, changing a number of ratchet steps based on a number of items on a list, and changing scroll profiles based on application, such as a scroll profile for document processing and a scroll profile for gaming.

Abstract: A peripheral device with an adaptive scroll wheel can be used to provide additional control of a host computing device. A variable force is used to change friction on the adaptive scroll wheel for different situations. Examples include stopping a scroll wheel at an end of a document, changing a number of ratchet steps based on a number of items on a list, and changing scroll profiles based on application, such as a scroll profile for document processing and a scroll profile for gaming.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer peripheral interface devices (such as computer mice) that include a wheel member configured to rotate around an axis in a plurality of modes, where each of the plurality of modes corresponds to a respective unique friction profile. The plurality of operation modes includes a freewheel mode and at least two additional modes. The at least two additional modes includes two or more different ratchet modes, two or more different constant friction modes, or at least one constant friction mode and at least one ratchet mode. The interface device also includes an actuator assembly configured to set the wheel member to each of the plurality of operation modes.

Abstract: A peripheral device with an adaptive scroll wheel can be used to provide additional control of a host computing device. A variable force is used to change friction on the adaptive scroll wheel for different situations. Examples include stopping a scroll wheel at an end of a document, changing a number of ratchet steps based on a number of items on a list, and changing scroll profiles based on application, such as a scroll profile for document processing and a scroll profile for gaming.

Abstract: A peripheral device with an adaptive scroll wheel can be used to provide additional control of a host computing device. A variable force is used to change friction on the adaptive scroll wheel for different situations. Examples include stopping a scroll wheel at an end of a document, changing a number of ratchet steps based on a number of items on a list, and changing scroll profiles based on application, such as a scroll profile for document processing and a scroll profile for gaming.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an input device comprising a housing having a region, a haptic element coupled to the housing, the haptic element configured to generate a haptic feedback and couple the haptic feedback to the region of the housing, and a force-sensitive element coupled to the housing, the force-sensitive element configured to detect a threshold input force applied-to and removed-from the region of the housing, the force-sensitive element being different from the haptic element. The haptic element may generate a first haptic feedback in response to the force-sensitive element detecting the threshold force being applied to the region of the housing, and the haptic element may generate a second haptic feedback in response to the force-sensitive element detecting the threshold force being removed from to the region of the housing, the first haptic feedback being different than the second haptic feedback.

Abstract: A peripheral device with an adaptive scroll wheel can be used to provide additional control of a host computing device. A variable force is used to change friction on the adaptive scroll wheel for different situations. Examples include stopping a scroll wheel at an end of a document, changing a number of ratchet steps based on a number of items on a list, and changing scroll profiles based on application, such as a scroll profile for document processing and a scroll profile for gaming.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer peripheral interface devices (such as computer mice) that include a wheel member configured to rotate around an axis in a plurality of modes, where each of the plurality of modes corresponds to a respective unique friction profile. The plurality of operation modes includes a freewheel mode and at least two additional modes. The at least two additional modes includes two or more different ratchet modes, two or more different constant friction modes, or at least one constant friction mode and at least one ratchet mode. The interface device also includes an actuator assembly configured to set the wheel member to each of the plurality of operation modes.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer peripheral interface devices (such as computer mice) that include a wheel member configured to rotate around an axis in a plurality of modes, where each of the plurality of modes corresponds to a respective unique friction profile. The plurality of operation modes includes a freewheel mode and at least two additional modes. The at least two additional modes includes two or more different ratchet modes, two or more different constant friction modes, or at least one constant friction mode and at least one ratchet mode. The interface device also includes an actuator assembly configured to set the wheel member to each of the plurality of operation modes.

Abstract: A user input device that includes a rotary input control is described herein. The rotary input control includes first and second ferritic substrates; first and second permanent magnets extending between the first and second ferritic substrates to form a magnetic circuit; one or more magnetizing coils wrapped around the first permanent magnet; and a wheel defining a central volume within which the first and second ferritic substrates, the first and second permanent magnets and the one or more magnetizing coils are positioned. The user input device also includes a control system configured to direct current to the one or more magnetization coils to change a magnetization of the first permanent magnet to adjust a resistance profile of the rotary input control.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an input device comprising a housing having a region, a haptic element coupled to the housing, the haptic element configured to generate a haptic feedback and couple the haptic feedback to the region of the housing, and a force-sensitive element coupled to the housing, the force-sensitive element configured to detect a threshold input force applied-to and removed-from the region of the housing, the force-sensitive element being different from the haptic element. The haptic element may generate a first haptic feedback in response to the force-sensitive element detecting the threshold force being applied to the region of the housing, and the haptic element may generate a second haptic feedback in response to the force-sensitive element detecting the threshold force being removed from to the region of the housing, the first haptic feedback being different than the second haptic feedback.

Abstract: Input devices having a thin profile and good comfort and feel are disclosed. In embodiments, an input device includes a sensor layer configured to effectuate a key press upon application of an activation force, and a collapsible layer coupled to the sensor layer. The collapsible layer may be configured to collapse in response to a collapsing force that is substantially equal to the activation force. When the collapsible layer collapses, the sensor layer may simultaneously effectuate the key press in response to application of the collapsing force.

Abstract: Input devices having a thin profile and good comfort and feel are disclosed. In embodiments, an input device includes a sensor layer configured to effectuate a key press upon application of an activation force, and a collapsible layer coupled to the sensor layer. The collapsible layer may be configured to collapse in response to a collapsing force that is substantially equal to the activation force. When the collapsible layer collapses, the sensor layer may simultaneously effectuate the key press in response to application of the collapsing force.

Abstract: Input devices having a thin profile and good comfort and feel are disclosed. In embodiments, an input device includes a sensor layer configured to effectuate a key press upon application of an activation force, and a collapsible layer coupled to the sensor layer. The collapsible layer may be configured to collapse in response to a collapsing force that is substantially equal to the activation force. When the collapsible layer collapses, the sensor layer may simultaneously effectuate the key press in response to application of the collapsing force.